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Do You remember your First Love?

Maybe some of you may think – why am I writing showbiz news from time to time, sound as if I know the people in the circle, and seem to know the ins and outs of the biz?

Well, allow me to indulge in a flashback. I really did work as a showbiz reporter. Kumbaga sa pagibig, ito ang first love ko.

Nagsimula ang aking showbiz journey when I was looking for a job in the early 90’s after I graduated from college. Oopps, don’t compute the age, haha!

I stumbled upon a magazine, (Star News Magazine) while fixing my things. Since I had this love for writing, I thought of trying it out- subukan ko kayang mag-apply. So I called. The receiver on the other line was gracious enough to tell me that I can go visit their office the next day so we can talk.

with the late Mr. Monching G. Jaramillo, Editor in Chief Star News Magazine

HOW MY NICKNAME BECAME MY PEN NAME

Little did I know na ‘yung kausap ko pala sa kabilang linya ay ang Editor in Chief ng Starnews Magazine na si Mr. Monching Jaramillo. When I got to the office, he interviewed me, made me write an article using the good ol’ typewriter and voilaaah! He said I can start.

But wait, there’s more…

I can still vividly recall how Monching called my attention before we capped our interview. He said, “Ayy, ano nga uli name mo, Sunshine di ba?”

“Yes po”. I replied.

“Wala ka na bang ibang pangalan? Anong nickname mo? Kasi rito sa showbiz, may Sunshine Cruz na at Sunshine Dizon. We have to change your name.

Sabi ko, ‘Shine at Chan-Chan” ang nicknames ko…

“Yan, maganda yan, Chan-Chan!” Monching said in zest.

And the rest is history.

These are just few of the magazines and tabloids I wrote for in Showbizlandia

MY FIRST ASSIGNMENTS

Working as a movie reporter in a magazine was really tasking. I had to deliver 3-5 articles a week depending on what the editor asked us to do and we have no choice but to comply. Prior to article writing and deadline submission, syempre, we had to schedule interviews with the ‘artistas” through their managers or sometimes by attending media conferences, pocket interviews and visiting location shootings and tapings.

That’s how it worked then.

Ms. Jolina Magdangal’s pictorial for Showbiz Manila Magazine

Taken at the shooting of a film by the late great Maryo J. delos Reyes with now Mayor Richard Gomez and colleagues from the press

My first assignment was an interview with Kris Aquino at the set of her talk show then followed by Ciara Sotto, which was done in their White Plains abode. Then, the Ang TV Girls and so on.

I was a newbie then and I was lucky to have colleagues who were supportive of me. Isang hapon, dinala ako ni Neil de Guia, isang kasamahan sa trabaho sa ABS-CBN. Timing na may taping ang Palibhasa Lalake (a sitcom directed by Johnny Manahan) which starred Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez and the Gwapings- Jomari Yllana,Eric Fructuoso, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Ms. Gloria Romero. Doon, ko sila unang nakilala, and I got to meet Tito Douglas Quijano (then Talent Manager of Goma and Tsong Joey).

From then on, things flowed well sa mga interviews ko, mas marami pa akong nakilala at naging kaibigan. This went on for more than 20 years and even to this date I am still in touch with most of my colleagues.

I’m honored and proud to have interviewed them–humble, well respected and loved personas in showbizlandia

I have a thousand words to describe show business… Some may be intrigued by it, and others may not like this world… Kahit ano pa ang sabihin nila, this is such a colorful world one could ever be into. PHOTO CREDITS: Taken from the internet

MY FIRST LOVE

Ano ba ang first love? Ito yung bahagi ng buhay natin na hindi natin makakalimutan, kahit saan man tayo dalhin ng panahon. Mapapangiti at maaring may luha sa tuwing maalala mo ito pero keri lang, dahil naging masaya ka.

That’s exactly how I feel about showbiz writing.

I may not completely be in the limelight as I used to, I may be writing different blog topics…

But I will always go back and remember my first love.